BellaOnline Forums Travel and Culture Irish Culture Celtic music

Oh, Wendy, sometimes I have a hard time distinguishing between Scottish and Irish music. They are often very close. Once, I was in a shop and there was background music playing very low. My dad had just died and I was very raw. I could have sworn I was listening to "O'Donnell Abu," but the woman took out the tape to prove the song was..."Scotland the Brave." I felt very much the fool until I read the dedication: "To Eamonn," my son's name. That made it very much all right that day.
One of my very favorite groups is the Proclaimers, Scottish boys. My poor husband is very tired of "I Would Walk 500 Miles!"
Mary Ellen

Talking about celtic music I must mention Breton musician Alan Stivell. He is one of my favourit.. I also like celtic bands like: Capercaillie, Catherine Ann MacPhee, Floggin Molly, Kila, Tri Yann.

Greetings from Poland!

You know your bands, Cybulski! I haven't heard of Capercaillie in a while. The Breton pipes were part of the Pipers' Gathering in Vermont this weekend that I had written about earlier. I hope this will be an annual event. Pipers of all types performed and taught there. I can't wait to hear from some friends how they fared at the gathering.
Best,
Mary Ellen

I heard that piper band in Bretagne are called Bagad. So Bagad Kemer is a piper band from a city Kemper - or Quimper in french. I've got some CD with Bagad music..

Are the Bagad more similar to the Scottish bagpipes or the uilleann pipes in your opinion?
Mary Ellen

Haha...one of my best friends and her cousin are Clann's unofficial promoters while they are at events. We tell all tell people to 'Keep it Tribal!' every chance we get no matter where we are, Even toll booth employees.
And as for spelling and all that for the name...I never paid much attention to that...they're just a great group of people.

x0x

Hi!
Bagads are similar to Scottish military pipe bands. But they use alsa instrument called bombarda.
Grettings from Poland!

Hoo boy! So they make a large sound. I love it
Best wishes,
Mary Ellen

Hi everyone.

If Celtic ballads are your thing; Loreena McKennitt's, "The Book of Secrets" is really excellent.

Thanks for the suggestion, Ann, I'll be on the lookout for Loreena's work.

Best wishes,
Mary Ellen
P.S. Nice imagery on your signature.